Food! Best chowder I have ever tasted. And the lobster meal .... Mwah!!!! Love love love it!! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Gilbert's Chowder House. - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Great service - our server was really nice! The outside patio is nice. The clam chowder was amazing and the crab melt was extra melty! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Great location, fun atmosphere. The lobster BLT was very skimpy on the lobster meat. The bacon was cooked well. Service was good.

Gilbert's Chowder House has a cozy, old-school nautical vibe--perfect on a chilly November night. We were seated right away, though I imagine it gets busy in the summer. We had the grilled cheese and chowder. The sandwich was thick, lightly grilled, and loaded with oozing cheese--delicious. The haddock and clam chowders were tasty, though perhaps not quite up to Massachusetts standards. Fries were disappointing, but the flaky, crispy onion rings were a standout. Our server was friendly, explained the chowder sizes, and checked in often. A cozy spot with solid chowder and some truly memorable onion rings. read more

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We had to come here to try their award winning chowders, and they definitely lived up to the hype. We tried the seafood chili and clam chowder, both served in warm, fresh bread bowls. The seafood chili was hearty and packed with flavors, while the clam chowder was rich and creamy. Would recommend! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I loooooove coming in here! I make it in probably 6 times a year & it's soooo perfect every time! The staff absolutely crushes it! Matt, the manager, is a cool hand Luke. The guy totally gets it, and he does a great job relating to his customers & his staff! Allie is a rockstar! Amanda crushes it!! Katie is hysterical! Like. Honestly. The staff is amazing! My food go tos are always the clam chowder & the supah seafood chowdah! They're both straight fire! When Portland goes "all foodie," etc., Gilbert's is the steady eddy where you always wanna come & hang out. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Painkiller made by the fabulous Abby! - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

This place has just the best and the most perfect lobster stew that ever had! Please don't waste your time any where else just come here, it's just what everyone needs to try, they have outdoors sits, a little bar area, they are not super crowded, the prices are just perfect, not expensive, they ate very fast in terms of serving which I love and admire from anywhere that they I go. read more

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Truly great clam chowder. And on the never ending search for good whole-belly fried clams, the ones at Gilbert's were among the best I've had in a long time. I ordered an additional serving. Yum. Also very cool, genuine atmosphere. read more

Ok this place has THE BEST chowder in all of New England. Definitely worth a trip. I couldn't make up my mind so I had to order the Clam and Seafood chowders; they were both good but the clam chowder was the best. Service was excellent too; we didn't have a long wait. Ambience was great - it is crowded on the inside but they do have an outdoor covered patio seating. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Chowder and Steamed Mussels - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

I have been here quite a few times. This is not upscale fine dining but the food they serve is high quality and you can't beat the price. The lobster roll with chips is amazing and one of the cheaper ones in Portland. They have a deck in the summer which is great. They are of course known for their chowder which the clam is my favorite. Overall just know you aren't doing fancy here but the food is great! read more

Stopped here on a freezing cold day for a cup of clam chowder and to try a clam cake. The chowder was okay. The clam cake looked promising, nice and crispy brown. However, it was like glue inside and had no discernible clam flavor. I do not like being served food in paper/plastic containers in a restaurant if I am eating in. Even the tartar sauce was Ken's supermarket brand in a plastic single serve container. Not acceptable. The people working here were very nice though! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Cup of clam chowder and a clam cake. - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

The BEST lobster roll I've ever had. I'm obsessed with this place and will forever stop by when I'm in Portland. Even though, the place was packed, the staff were super attentive. The vibes are exactly what you want from a beachside town. read more

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Chowder served lukewarm and was thick in a gluey way. I prefer chowder to be piping hot. The bread bowl was also pretty disappointing, it wasn't fresh sourdough by any means. The spot was a little run down and the vibe of the staff was a little weird. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Seafood chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

The seafood chowder was fantastic! Quaint location, right in the water. Friendly service and good prices! Definitely stop by if you're in Portland. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Seafood chowder (medium) and clam strips - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

The lobster stew and chowder were to die for. Plenty of meat in the stew..only wish it was a touch bigger for the price but lots of meat in the stew to make it worth it. The large chowder can easily be split between two people. Our server was also fantastic and there was no wait on the patio around 12pm on a Thursday but the patio was still packed! They were dog friendly on the patio. I will definitely be back to try some more!!! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Lobster Stew (small) - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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don't need hype or luxury all the time while on vacation. Local food with good beer is my answer. Our family had dinner while in Portland, after walked in Old Port area and saw all fusions, mix & max of all kind of foods. we just wanted good soup, lobster and drinks didn't cost me arms and legs. We were enjoyed our early dinner, and love to goes back for next vacation in ME read more

This chowdah haus has the most amazing chowder on the East Coast! Nice job Gilbert! And it's right in the heart of the Old Port. Our waitress was bubbly and kind and our food came out quickly. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was not amazing because the tables were way too close together... but I can honestly say the food made up for the tight squeeze. Trying to find a parking spot was a nightmare, but if you can just get in the door and get a seat, the food is worth it. read more

I've been eating at Gilbert's for decades and it's consistently delicious. We stopped in during winter storm Fern and were one of two tables. The atmosphere is a throwback to old saloons in the Old Port with relics galore. The server Amanda couldn't have been more wonderful. Thank you for your kindness. The chowders were a perfect match for a blizzard eve. We'll be back after the snow melts! read more

Another trip to Portland Maine and yet another 5 star review for Gilberts Chowder House! This time - after 15 years of enjoying Gilberts incredibly good food - we finally met one of the Gilbert family. I do not know his first name, but he was friendly and - for an owner of a very busy restaurant - he spent a lot of time talking to us. Bravo to this Gilbert and all the other Gilberts involved in making our many, many meals here fantastic! Is Gilberts fancy? No. There are no linen tablecloths, there is no expensive silverware or elegant glasses. But NONE OF THAT MATTERS! The food is outstanding, the service is fast and top notch and the atmosphere is fun and enjoyable every time we are there! A trip to Portland is not complete without some of Gilberts perfect chowder! Thank you, Gilberts, for giving us a place we like to call "our place!!!" read more

I was hankering' for some fried whole belly clams and scallops, and a local suggested Gilbert's which was close by, in a busy and touristy section of Commercial St. We ordered a lobster roll and Captain Gilbert's seafood platter (fried shrimp, haddock, clams, and scallops, plus 2 sides) with a small clam chowder. While it was not the most satisfying version of those foods I've had, it hit the spot, and included basically everything I like to eat when I'm in Maine (except crab cakes which they didn't have here), so 4 stars for the good coverage. I wish I also ordered the Super Seafood chowder which I saw on a neighboring table and looked tantalizing, filled with clams, shrimp, haddock, and lobster. Outdoor seating is available but it was completed full so we opted for the first available table inside. Despite the frenetic pace, the waitress on duty was good-natured and provided warm and friendly service. read more

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Absolutely horrible. Do not be fooled by the high yelp ratings, no real locals choose to eat here-- they stay clear, there's a reason why it's always empty on a busy night. The atmosphere was literally horrendous, the food wasn't bad nor good. Highly don't recommend. read more

Line out front on a Thursday evening is a good sign for good food! Server came out and told us the patio out back was heated and there was no wait to be seated, so the whole line proceeded to the patio. Heat lamps and plenty of tables! Service: Good. Server was polite, quick and responsive. Food: Chowder was pretty good. Solidly creamy with a lot of potatoes, not a lot of clam. Lobster Grilled Cheese was cold, including the cheese. Flavor blend with the cheese was good, lobster was perfectly cooked, bread had a great crunchiness to it. Lobster Roll: I did not know Maine style was cold lobster with a leaf lettuce. No sauce of any kind was a different experience than I was used to. Lobster perfectly cooked, just cold. Overall: Glad I tried it! I'm good to leave it at that. read more

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Walked in on a Friday afternoon, met with Friendly service. Enjoyed a whole lobster dinner, chowder, lobster rolls and drinks! All delicious read more

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Chowder and lobster stew were great! Be et attentive staff and nice relaxed atmosphere. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Back patio seating and a shipyard IPA - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Excellent fish and chips! The chicken corn chowder was delicious and very Smokey and flavorful. We sat outside and enjoyed the light rain. read more

No matter what chowder you choose it is the e best! I always get the. Chicken corn chowder and my boyfriend gets the seafood or haddock and we are always so happy. Everyone we have brought has loved what they have had, too. read more

One of the best chowders I've had! This place is amazing. Good service. Tight space but they make it work. Self seating. A good experience for our Portland visit read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Super Seafood - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Haven't changed my mind. Still one of my favorite Clam Chowders. Service was great. Limited Seating. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Clam Bread Bowl - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Went here for lunch and luckily got here a little early and beat the crowd. We sat outside on the deck and had a nice view while still being able to sit on the shade. Our server was right over to welcome us. We got a round of beers which we had right away. Our server checked in several times during our meal (though not excessive). For our meals, I got the seafood chowder (large) and my husband got the single Maine lobster meal. The chowder had chunks of seafood. It was such a great deal considering the amount of food I had. I probably would have been fine with a medium chowder but the large was only $2 more. My husband was very happy with his meal. It was a really awesome deal. He left with tons of leftover fries. He enjoyed his lobster and shared with me. Overall a great meal. Would definitely recommend a stop here for a tasty meal. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - The view - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Ohhh, it's sooo good!!  Gilbert's Chowder House serves up a delicious creamy seafood chowder. Rich, velvety and loaded with generous chunks of seafood, perfectly seasoned, and super satisfying. It's the kind of dish you keep thinking about after you leave, and crave again & again!  Definitely a must-try if you're near Portland. Comfort food at its best!! read more

We came here for lunch after stopping in at a seafood market and Italian market in Portland. I had a lobster roll and it was good but nothing special. I kicked myself for not getting their seafood chowder. The service was on point and the staff chatted with us at times. Gilbert's is old fashioned New England casual inside. It was a bit on the dark side but we didn't mind. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Alyssa was phenominal so sweet so considerate service and connection. She will definitely make sure you're having a great time. She's great with your kids bring ehm over for an awesome time! The lobster BLT is really creamy and served cold in your classic BLT. The bar is so full of cool Nautical and local merchandise. So many questions about the history of these items. A great ice breaker with the employees and guests. That clam chowder is also a literal hug in a cup. So creamy-so filling and wonderfully made. Adding the oyster crackers takes another textural snap whilst soaking up the soup great little additive. Wonderful and loving experience! Highly recommend. read more

Had the clam chowder and seafood chowder and both were so good!!! Clams were tender and a little smoky flavor to the base. Super seafood chowder was amazing. Shrimp Haddock Clam and Lobster. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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What a spectacular day in Maine! Sun was shining, no clouds and a light breeze. Amazing for this late in October! We went somewhere we could sit outside in the sun. We arrived a little bit before noon on Friday, 10/25/24 and found the perfect table in the deck. We were greeted right away and told we could sit anywhere we wanted. My friend and I each ordered a Bloody Mary. She wanted horseradish and I did NOT. These were not great Bloody Marys, unfortunately. The mix was too sweet and pretty plain. That could have been the lack of horseradish on my part. To eat, my friend had the half lobster grilled cheese and a cup of clam chowder. She loved it! Said it was exactly what she was craving. I had the fried haddock sandwich and it was everything I wanted it to be!. The fish was cooked to a golden brown and the bun had been griddled. Our server was a highlight. She was attentive and friendly. Our food came out hot and fast. It's a great spot and better than most of the touristy spots on the waterfront - in my opinion. read more

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We ordered the Super Seafood Chowder, Lobster Roll with Onion Rings, and Lobster Grilled Cheese. We highly recommend the Super Seafood Chowder! It was our favorite out of the three dishes we tried. The lobster roll was very delicious but the onion rings and lobster grilled cheese were okay. The lobster grilled cheese didn't have enough lobster and the onion rings were mediocre. The service was very great and our server was very friendly! They had a laid-back casual ambiance with indoor and outdoor spacing. read more

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The chowder was thick and full of flavor the restaurant had the yesteryear's decor with bouys and tackle My wife got clam belly's and I got the lobster grilled cheese read more

Gloopy chowder that tasted mainly of celery. We ordered a cup, ate a spoonful and left. I suugest you go elsewhere.

Very very old menu on line w old prices folks!!!love Gilbert's and their chowder but we need to see up to date menus! That you.

Wow! We stumbled upon this place when walking around downtown and I'm sure glad we did! It was a Friday night - we got a table outside and the service was very prompt and friendly. She told us all about the specials, but we ended up going with a cup of chowder each. They were out of this world! I am already looking forward to going back. Drinks were strong and fairly priced too. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Seafood and clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

This might be the best food Portland, Maine has to offer. For less than what you'd pay at a fast-food chain like Panera, you get local, delicious, and thoughtfully crafted dishes. The clam chowder bread bowl is easily one of the best I've had anywhere in the country. The wait staff is friendly, and the restaurant has a nautical charm that feels authentic, not like a parody of a bygone era. It's a meal that leaves you smiling. read more

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